PETERSON AFB, Colo. –
U.S. Northern Command is working through the Federal Emergency Management Agency to support authorities in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Florida to provide life-saving and life-sustaining relief to those affected by Hurricane Irma.
In the U.S. Virgin Islands, the U.S. Army Area Support Medical Company and U.S. Air Force Ground Surgical Team are setting up this weekend near St. Thomas’ damaged hospital. They are scheduled to begin providing medical care to the population by the end of the weekend. The ASMC provides triage, surgical capabilities, a variety of medical treatments and pre-evacuation care.
The USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) and USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) continue moving vehicles and supplies to the islands. They are focused on route clearance and commodity distribution in St. Thomas and St. John.
Air Mobility Command contingency response teams continue to support Florida and the affected Caribbean islands, assessing, opening and operating airfields to accept commercial and military aid flights. AMC aircraft continue to deliver personnel, supplies and equipment to support affected areas.
The USS Iwo Jima group continues support operations in vicinity of the Florida Keys, distributing commodities such as water, meals, fuel, and re-establishing airport and port capacity at NAS Key West. Sailors and Marines aboard USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) and USS New York (LPD 21) are transporting relief supplies into Key West, Fla., via LCUs in support of FEMA.
Approximately 100 Army high-water vehicles (Task Force Truck) from Fort Bragg have arrived at Camp Blanding, Fla., and are moving commodities in support of FEMA.
In the past 24 hours, the Defense Logistics Agency has provided almost 300,000 MREs to USNORTHCOM and 300,000 to U.S. Southern Command for Hurricane relief support. Also, approximately 1,238 trailers filled with MREs, bottled water, sheeting, cots, blankets and tarps have been provided to civil authorities for relief efforts in both the U.S. Virgin Islands and Florida.
USNORTHCOM's mission is to assist lead federal relief agencies in helping those affected by Hurricane Irma to minimize suffering while continuing its mission of defending the Homeland.